DISNEY-ABC TELEVISION GROUP'S ABC.COM PRESENTS "THE COUNTDOWN TO COUNTRY MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT," EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE LEADING UP TO "THE 42nd ANNUAL CMA AWARDS" ON ABC

Available Online at ABC.com, CMAAwards.com and Other Online and Mobile Platforms

Dedicated to expanding its network and channel brands across multiple platforms and connecting viewers with their favorite shows anytime and anywhere, Disney-ABC Television Group announced today that it is offering daily coverage leading up to "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" with "The Countdown to Country Music's Biggest Night," beginning Nov. 5 on ABC.com. The coverage will include nine daily shows which will also be available at CMAAwards.com and will be distributed to our mobile partners and ABC affiliates.

ABC Digital Media will be producing a daily show for the nine days prior to the CMA Awards, hosted by RCA recording artists Chuck Wicks, Jake Owen and former Miss Tennessee, Ashley Eicher. In an entertainment/news format, "Countdown to Country Music's Biggest Night" will cover the events that take place during the week leading up to the CMA Awards, including interviews with country artists, exclusive behind-the-scenes access, daily news, event coverage and much more. The first show will be posted on Wednesday, Nov. 5, and a new show will premiere every day through Wednesday, Nov. 12. The 9th and final show is a post-event/party wrap-up show that will be available online Thursday, November 13. The daily and live Red Carpet shows are produced in full by the ABC.com Digital Media Group.

For the first time this year, ABC.com is offering a live backstage "Thank You Cam" for CMA Award winners to thank all of those who weren't acknowledged at the podium, as well as a live show blog. In addition ABC.com will make available the Country Music Association's live, 30-minute television special co-hosted by "Dancing with the Stars" champion and rising Country star Julianne Hough and the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, Craig Morgan, featuring the star-studded Red Carpet arrivals for "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards."

About The CMA Awards � Premiering Wednesday Nov. 12 (8:00 � 11:00 p.m. ET)

Performers for this year's CMA Awards include Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, who are hosting the gala for the first time, Lady Antebellum, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and The Wailers, the Eagles, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. Reese Witherspoon is the first presenter to be announced. Additional artists and presenters will be added to the lineup and announced at a later date. "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville and is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is executive producer. Paul Miller is director. David Wild is writer.